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According to the newest Frasier Institute’s Economic Freedom of the World Index (released yesterday), the US ranked as one of the world’s freest economies from 1980 through 2000.
Since then the decline has hastened.
The US dramatically slipped to 9th in 2005 and its decline has continued ever since, to the point where the United States is now rated less economically free than Jordan.
This is no accident.
The mushroom cloud expansion of regulation has stifled small business and innovation.
Even more significantly, property rights and respect for rule of law that once defined the country have eroded.
From an alarming increase in government seizure of private property under the guise of eminent domain, to blatant disregard for the property rights of bondholders during bailouts, the US has plunged to #36 in the world in respecting property rights.
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And then there's this... (via Rasmussen)70% Oppose Police Seizure of Property Without A Criminal Conviction
Americans strongly believe someone needs to be convicted of a crime before their property can be seized, even though that’s contrary to current federal law and police practice.
Which means a rather stunning 30% of Americans believe it is fine... WTF!?
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-10-08/land-free-ranks-36th-world-respecting-property-rights
This saddens me. America is losing sight of a foundational pillar that made it great.